On June 19, the exhibition “About the Land, Songs and Sculptures” was opened at the Sigulda Railway Station Square.
The exhibition is dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Folk Song Hill. The Folk Song Hill has been open to museum visitors since July 7, 1985 – 150th anniversary of the folklorist Krišjānis Barons. The idea to create the Folk Song Hill came from Anna Jurkāne, the director of the Sigulda Local History Museum, now the Turaida Museum Reserve.
The Folk Song Hill in Turaida tells the story of the accumulated intangible cultural heritage and the value system based on the traditional way of life of the folk. Currently, 26 sculptures created by sculptor Indulis Ranka are located there.
In the late 1970s, a folklore movement was formed in Latvia, which called for the preservation, learning and popularization of Latvian folk treasures. Its implicit goal is to resist the degradation of culture imposed by the Soviet occupation regime and strive for the restoration of independence.
Today, most Latvians can call Dainu Kalns (The Folk Song Hill / Dainu hill) as their own. In the early days of the establishment of Dainu Kalns, the volunteers were of particular importance. These helpers came from different regions of Latvia. Among them were representatives of various sectors, united by the desire to create a special place where they could come together and spread the values based on the Latvian way of life.
Dainu Kalns has become a traditional venue for the folklore/folk song festival “Baltica”. Since the first festival in 1988, ethnographic and folklore song groups have always performed at Dainu Kalns. Dainu Kalns is a symbol of the Age of Awakening – the Song Revolution symbol.
Exhibition creators: Ieva Stūre, Maira Dudareva, Ija Kivlina, Anete Jenča, Aija Dzene.
Exhibition organizers: Jurijs Fjodorovs, Uldis Jēkabsons, Ivans and Sergejs Ivanovs, Jānis Spila, Gita Dāldere.
Materials used from the scientific archive of the Turaida Museum Reserve
Thanks to Sigulda Municipality, Turaida Museum Reserve Support Society and Laimas Būvmateriāli
Photo: Edgars Semanis
